ISLAMABAD — At the very least 22 individuals, together with 10 kids, died in a well-liked mountain resort city in Pakistan after being caught of their autos in a single day throughout a heavy snowstorm as temperatures plummeted, officers stated Saturday.
Many of the victims died of hypothermia, officers stated. Amongst them was an Islamabad police officer and 7 different members of his household, fellow police officer Atiq Ahmed stated.
Greater than 4 toes of snow fell within the space of the Murree Hills resort in a single day Friday and early Saturday, trapping hundreds of automobiles on roadways, stated Inside Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed. The snow was so extreme that heavy tools introduced in to clear it initially bought caught through the night time, stated Umar Maqbool, assistant commissioner for the city of Murree. Temperatures fell to 17.6 levels Fahrenheit.
Officers known as in paramilitary troops and a particular army mountain unit to assist. By late Saturday, hundreds of autos had been pulled from the snow however greater than a thousand have been nonetheless caught, Ahmed stated.
Most roads resulting in the realm’s resorts have been largely cleared of snow by late Saturday, and army troops have been working to clear the remaining, Maqbool stated. The army additionally transformed army-run faculties into aid camps the place they offered shelter and meals for the vacationers who had been rescued.
Emergency officers distributed meals and blankets to individuals whereas they have been trapped of their snowed-in autos, however many died of hypothermia. Others could have died from carbon monoxide poisoning after operating their automobile heaters for lengthy durations of time, stated rescue companies doctor Abdur Rehman. As of late Saturday, the demise toll included 10 males, 10 kids and two ladies, Rehman stated.
In a single occasion, a husband and spouse and their two kids all died of their automobile. In one other, 4 younger buddies died collectively, he stated.
Positioned 28 miles north of the capital of Islamabad, Murree is a well-liked winter resort city that pulls nicely over one million vacationers yearly. Streets main into the city are sometimes blocked by snow in winter.
